Author
Fowler, David
Date24 June, 1765
ms number765374.2
abstractFowler writes regarding the progress of his mission.
handwritingFormal handwriting is clear and legible.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in good
condition, with light-to-moderate staining and wear. The central vertical
crease
is sharp, however, and beginning to separate. The watermark is visible on
two
recto.
inkDark-brown.
noteworthyAn unknown editor, possibly Wheelock, has written above-line
corrections throughout the document; these corrections appear to be contemporary,
so they have been included in the transcription. The trailer, however, appears
to
be 19th-century and so has not been transcribed. When Fowler refers to the
place
Oneida, he is likely referring to the town of Kanawalohale. To set this
designation in context, the placename "Onoyda" has been tagged as Oneida
in the
dateline, and the reference to "this Castle" has been tagged as
Kanawalohale.
Modernized Version
Deletions removed; additions added in;
modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Oneida
June 24 1765
Honoured
and
Rev. Sir
I now write you a few Lines just to inform you that I am well at present, and have been
soever
since I left your house, blessed be God for his goodness to me. — — I am well contented here as long as I am in such great business. My Scholars learn very well; I have put eleven into a, b,
[illegible][guess: absr:] I have
three more that will go to that Place this week; and some have got to the sixth Page. — It is ten thousand Pities they can't keep together, they are always often going about to get their provision My Father one of the Chiefs at in whose house I keep told me, he believed
some of the Indians would starve to Death this Summer; some of them have almost
consumed all their Corn already.
I came too late this Spring. I could not put anything
in the Ground, I hope I shall next Year —. I believe I shall
get persuade all these the Men in
this Castle
at least the
most of them to labour
next Year: They begin to see now that they would live better
if they cultivate their Lands than they do
now by Hunting and
fish
ing: These men
are the laziest Crew I ever saw in all my Days:
their Women will
get up early in the morning and be pounding
corn for breakfast and they the men
lie sleeping till the Victuals is al
most ready and as soon as the Breakfast is over the Women take
up their Axes and Hoes and way to
the Fields and leave their Chil
dren with the Men to tend; you
would may
see half a Dozen walking
about with Children upon
their Backs: a lazy and sordid Wretches,
but they are to be pitied not frowned
I have been miserably of for an Interpreter I cant can
say but very little to them; I hope by next Spring I
shall be my own Interpreter.
It is very hard to live here without
the other bone; I now am
ob
liged to wash, mend, my cloths cook all my Victuals and wash all the things I
use, which is exceeding hard; I can’t go into a field as I should
do if I had a Cook here.
I shant be able to employ my vacant Hours in
improving up Lands as I should do
I received a Letter from
Mr. Kirtland
last
Sabbath wherein he informs me that but he did not
inform me how he was, he only gave
an account how he was treated by Indians that
accompanied
him up. The Indians left him with all his heavy Pack; he had
the most
fatiguing Journey this Time he ever had before: —
He designs to come down to get provision and if he dont, he will
eat no Bread till Indian harvest: and his Meat; nearly rotten
having no Salt. — “He has swapped away the little pony
which I did not know before.”
“I believe, I shall come down latter end of Au
gust but I shall tarry a little while with you. I design to
hasten up here again; I shall make this Place my Home as
long as I live. — Give my kind Respects to
Mrs Wheelock,
Love to your Children and to
all the Scholars.”
And may the blessings of Heaven rest on you, etc.
etc. and continue you a long and rich blessing in the World, may the Heathen in the wilderness feel the
goodness of thy Labours — May you have double measure of the Spirit of God, and fill your Heart with
Love of God and compassion to poor perishing Souls. — and may the Giver of all things, give Strength and
Health, Wisdom and Authority to rule govern and teach those who are committed to your Care in Fear of the Lord: which is the sincere
Prayer of him who desires the Continuance of your Prayers.
Blank page.Not transcribed.